Taking care of yourself requires more than daily exercise and a diet rich in healthy vegetables and lean meats. It also means getting examined regularly by your physician. Below, you will find the four most important health appointments you should schedule annually for yourself.

The status of your health can change drastically with few warning signs that something is wrong. Diabetes, cancer, vitamin deficiencies, organ disorders, and many other malignant health conditions can be caught early if you schedule an annual physical for yourself. Scheduling a physical for yourself is a simple process that can be done by calling your general physician’s office. A physical includes blood tests, reflex tests, an examination of vital signs, and various other essential exams to ensure that your health status is optimal.

Your mouth is a filthy place, believe it or not. If you don’t have proper dental hygiene habits, it could cause the development of various dental conditions such as cavities, gingivitis, tooth decay, and infections. These dental conditions are benign, for the most part, once they first form but will continue to worsen the longer they’re left untreated. Scheduling two regular dental careappointmentsper year are the best way to catch any emerging dental issues before they become serious conditions.

It’s easy for people to neglect the health of their eyes when it comes to scheduling annual health appointments. If you wear glasses or use contact lenses, it is easier for you to remember a yearly visit to optometrist due to the necessity of your prescription eyewear. If you’re someone who has healthy eyesight then it can seem pointless to worry about seeing an optometrist.

This is a bad mindset to have. The health of your eyes can degenerate over the period of a year depending on your lifestyle or your health status. Scheduling an annual visit with your optometrist is a great way to catch any new or worsening eye conditions early.

Although many people believe that they don’t need to schedule appointments to get their reproductive organs examined until they get older, this is a mistake. Receiving proper reproductive system examinations can help catch many serious health issues including cancer, cysts, and fertility issues. Regardless of your age, always schedule a yearly reproductive system exam to ensure your continued health.

Your doctor’s office will often call you to remind you that it’s time to schedule a yearly appointment with them, so take advantage of this courtesy when it happens.